A definitive guide to eating out in Toronto … from the highchair's perspective.

Terroni

I’ve gotta be honest with you folks. Lately I’ve been a little … difficult? Challenging? I’d like to say strong-willed, but I’ll go out on a limb and say both Mom and Dad would tack a few other adjectives on there. Let’s just say that things have been irking me a little more than usual. Like when Mom told me my dinner was ready last night. And then when she offered to let me help put my toast in the toaster. And then again when she wrapped the cheese back up after she had finished cutting me a few pieces. I know … awful, right? In any case, due to these rather inconsistent moods, I’m somewhat surprised that the parentals braved lunch today with yours truly.

Dad took the week off work and we’ve been enjoying what he’s calling a ‘staycation’ … he’s pretty hilarious, eh? :) We’ve spent the week having picnics in the park, and taking long sunny walks in some favourite neighbourhoods that we’d been neglecting. Today was Queen West. As I’ve mentioned before, Mom and Dad used to call the West side home, and every once and awhile they give in to their urge to be nostalgic and wander the streets of yore. So we spent a fabulous morning trolling the strip, dropping in on old pals (Hi Andrew! Hi Ania! Hi Clara!) and buying puzzles (have I mentioned I’m a puzzle MASTER?) and wooden garbage truck replicas. Fun times. And then for lunch … Terroni.

Garbage trucks are ridiculously exciting.

Terroni may seem like an interesting choice for those of you who have only braved the joint at more traditional dining times (think: not 11:30 on a Thursday). Apparently it is pretty jammed evenings and weekends, but we timed it perfectly. And did you know that they have a patio out back? It was news to us too, though we didn’t sit back there despite the lovely weather … Stella and I are rocking a new double stroller and (even though it’s one of the smaller ones) we didn’t quite fit through either of the narrow hallways that take you back there. Oh well. We snagged a great table right in the front window instead, which allowed me to indulge my any-moving-vehicle obsession.

Speaking of strollers, we had plenty of room to park, but it also wasn’t busy at all. Another stroller rolled in while we were eating and also fit easily in the space between two tables. That said, if it was super busy, they wouldn’t have been able to shove tables aside to let us take up the valuable real estate … space in here is super tight y’all. I’m thinking a weekday lunch is the only time you’re not gonna want to leave your ride at home/in the car. Lucky for us we timed it perfectly, because Stella napped in the stroller pretty much the entire meal. I was glad Mom and Dad got to eat a meal out without bouncing her on their knees and trading off between bites … she’s a little high maintenance these days … which I guess happens when the only thing you can do by yourself is sit up.

Now let me tell you about the highchair. I was expecting the standard wooden one I seem to see everywhere, and boy was I floored when they brought this puppy out. I swear this was the Cadillac of highchairs: wooden frame, padded black leather seat, perfect table height (is anyone with me that too often you’re just a little too low?) Here’s a pic … this was by far the best highchair I’ve ever had the pleasure of hanging out in. Well played Terroni.

Also, check out my sister … she’s cute when she’s sleeping. :)

For those of you who don’t know, Terroni is famous for it’s regional Italian menu. And now that you know, you may be thinking, ‘but wait … so this kid does tomatoes now?’ Sadly, I still do not, and Mom and Dad were somewhat challenged to find me something lunch-worthy that wasn’t tomato based pasta or pizza. Our server was kind enough to suggest they whip up a kids pasta with olive oil, butter or cheese … I went with butter and cheese and oh my goodness! I had to tell Dad to back off! :) Between my pasta and the bread basket, I left totally stuffed and had to fight off a snooze on the car ride home. YUM yum. Mom and Dad shared a Caprese salad (mozzarella di bufala and tomatoes and arugula, oh my!) and the Bufalina pizza (tomato, mozzarella di bufala and basil) … can you tell they have a thing for buffalo mozzarella? Everything was delicious.

Pasta and bread and bikes on the sidewalk. Does it get any better than this?

All told, this lunch was a smashing success. A bit on the pricey side (my pasta was $9) but totally worth it for somewhere we’re not going to hit up very often. Two Henry thumbs up.

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